Now here's a interesting little fact. Alan has had severe neuropathy for over 20 years. Tried all the things. Even went on Fentanyl about 13 years or so ago which worked WONDERFULLY but as things usually turn out, he had to stop it because you reach a certain level and he had to titrate down and for the last 25 of the fentanyl he had to do it at home because the rehab place could not detect any fentanyl in his system, told you "you are not on Fentanyl", even though he walked in wearing a patch, so essentially 13 years ago he had to detox in our bedroom, I couldn't go near him, he said it was the worse case of flu-like symptoms and he'll NEVER take an opiate again, and he never did (except when he was in the hospital last year and they gave him morphine). After that one time, in all 13 years he has only taken Advil (when he is all inflamed).

So this morning, he is in the shower (on the shower chair) and he yells, My knee locked. This happens now and then (when the weather goes absolutely crazy and the ions in the atmosphere do whatever they are doing. I have to help him up off the couch and it breaks my back. So there I was, watching him in the shower and he goes "get me the BENGAY". which I did. He had his knee brace on. He still could not unlock his knee.

After a while (and his neuropathy was bad) I simply said "I have oxycodone in the house (prescribed for me WHEN MY KNEE WENT OUT two years ago). I had to be carried down to an ambulance, they did x-rays, mri's and concluded I have arthritis and torn meniscus and I went for therapy and to this day I MOVE MY KNEES EVERY DAY because I take care of this man.

So I give him one of the oxycodone and we got him up and on the bed and I put a heating pad under the knee.

He said "How long till this kicks in" I said "15 minutes) I have no idea, I just said that.

Well, after 20 minutes pass, he says "oh, look at my knee, I can straighten it". I said "Let's see how you walk". He walked slowly but he walked into the kitchen, started moving around (like he never did before) and started singing. He said "Man this oxycodone stuff is amazing, even my neuropathy doesn't bother me". I said"don't get used to it, this is not an every day treatment, it's addicting and well, I have to run this by Dr. Fred (I texted him the whole story) Alan can't do MRI's because of his neuropathy. He cannot stay still. I gather in emergencies, they give people morphine or something if they have to MRI something.

I also looked up a device called COUCH CANE on the internet. That's exactly what he needs to pull himself up. I took one of his cane with a handle, positioned it between the seat cushions of his couch and made him practice getting up (until we are able to buy this Couch Cane item). There are a multitude of arthritis assisting aids to help people stand from a chair or a couch.

Now he's wearing one of those pull up neoprene blue knee brace things (to stabilize his knee). He feels more secure in it. They sell even better ones (with knee hinges). We see our doctor on April 7th and he can write a prescription and we can go to the Hangar Clinic which is the place that made his custom crow boot, and his custom molded shoes. I would think they make custom braces too, no?

So I just asked him how he's doing and he said "well, my neuropathy is bothering me a bit but my knee is better. But this man sits at a computer most of the day or watches tv. He doesn't listen to me about exercise and stuff. I had it out with him, explaining that I had the same thing with my knee, I went to therapy and I know the exercises that one does when one has knees like we have. He needs to do those exercise. I also bought this device that looks like the top of a bicycle and you lay flat on the bed, you position it on your thighs, you push down and it stretches your back. Best invention I ever got. He refuses to use it, says it's nonsense.

I really don't know what else to do. he's stubborn, he's proud and my back hurts from having to help him up and down. Essentially I have no life and I am his caregiver. But if he moved a bit more, he could do much better.

Melody

Yes, he could feel better if he moved. I know when I get on my recumbent bike and peddle slowly for a count to 200-300, my knee feels better when I get off the bike. I bought a use recumbent bike years ago and it's the best $60 investment from craig's list. The less I move the knee the more stiff and locked up.

He's doing his own path on life, but taking you on that path. As I see it.

Right now I'm going to start doing self acupuncture (needling). I've had professional acupuncture done a lot and have talked to some and read about doing our own at home. I'm starting with my knee first and concentrating there. The needles are on the way from a supply place I found from a friend's advice.

So sad so many just don't help themselves.

A PS: It's about the need for circulation, getting our blood circulating...that's a major reason too that I'm going to work on self needling...I have no fear as I've had good results with acupuncture for years and just can't afford to go often etc. etc. Acupuncture gets the circulation going. I wear a magnetic knee support most of the day and change to a lighter support later in day...think I'll do some peddling. There is a lot of info on self acupuncture.

Do you know how many people I know with RA, Sciatica, etc, who are in absolute agony and take all these meds and I say "Listen, I have sciatica, osteoarthritis, etc, etc, and I know we have to MOVE every day. Move our joints, lubricate our joints, eat good food, etc. etc.

They all look at me like I'm nuts and eat donuts. And they do not move.

I climb stairs all the time (I live on the second floor). Would this have been my choice to move here? Of course not but it was available so I had no choice. Tomorrow morning I am going to begin a journey of exercise for this man starting before he gets out of bed.

I built a sort of Couch cane. I took two of his canes and duct taped them together to make this sort of assist cane thing (this will have to do until I can get the real Couch Cane). He practices going from the couch to the computer, to the bathroom. Our apartment is very small but he still has to walk around some. Maybe tomorrow, if he's able, I'll get him down stairs (where we have another walker locked up). We'll go for a walk. He needs to do this.

Very hard on me.

Melody